
Glass ^^l 

« fy 

Book_ 



. - ! ■ _ 



A TREATISE 



ON THE PRINCIPAL 



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FIXED STARS AND CONSTELLATIONS. 



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WITH MAPS, 



ILLUSTRATIVE OF THEM AS SEEN IN THE FOUR SEASONS. 



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BY HENRY WHITALL. 



£ 



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PHILADELPHIA : 
FOR SALE AT URIAH HUNT & SON'S, 

NO. 44 NORTH FOURTH STREET. 
1850, 



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Entered according- to act of Congress, in the year 1850, by 

HENRY WHITALL, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



KITE & WALTON, 
Trinters. 



PREFACE. 



In giving illustrations of the Fixed Stars, the want of suitable maps has 
long been felt. To supply this want, the author has constructed those which 
accompany this little work. True, there are already other valuable school 
books on this subject, but their maps (which should be the most useful part,) 
are divided into so many minute parts, each embracing so small a 
number of the stars, that the task of properly joining them together, so as 
to form one grand whole, is placed beyond the capacities of pupils generally. 
This defect also lessens the desire in the more advanced to acquire this most 
gratifying accomplishment. It is a lamentable fact, that pupils in some of 
our best schools have spent years in abstruse calculations, hoping thereby to 
obtain a thorough knowledge of Astronomy, without learning to distinguish 
one star from another. That all who desire this information may no longer 
look with confusion at the starry Heavens, but may at once be enabled to 
point out all the principal Constellations, and Stars as they appear at the 
different seasons 3 is the great object of the present undertaking* 



INTRODUCTION 



When an uninstructed observer gazes upon the clear nocturnal sky, he 
Is bewildered on beholding the confusion which appears to exist among the 
stars ; but, to the practised eye naught appears but harmony and grandeur. 
The visible stars have all been numbered and classified, and their relative 
positions ascertained and mapped with as much accuracy as the different 
places on the earth. 

From a point directly over head, called the zenith, the heavens form a 
great and noble arch, extending in every direction, until they appear to meet 
the earth in a circle, called the horizon. The centre of this horizontal circle 
is the observer. A semicircle, extending from the northern point in the 
horizon, through the north pole and zenith to the southern point in the 
horizon, is called the celestial meridian, for the place of observation. While 
the heavenly bodies are passing this line they are said to be on the meridian. 

The attentive observer in the United States has, doubtless, frequently 
observed that the heavenly bodies in general appear to rise in the east, pass 
the meridian, and set in the west, at the same distance from the south as 
they were when they arose. But if we attentively observe the northern part 
of the visible heavens, we shall perceive that a number of stars there do not 
descend below the horizon, but apparently revolve, in circles of different 
dimensions, around a fixed point ; the upper part of the circles being de- 
scribed from east to west, and the lower in the opposite direction. The point 
around which the stars thus appear to revolve is called the T\orth pole of the 
heavens. A star of moderate brightness, situated near this point, is called 
the pole star. A straight line, extending from the north pole of the heavens, 
through the earth's centre to the opposite side of the celestial vault, is termed 
the axis of the celestial sphere, round which the stars appear to perform 
their diurnal revolutions, from east to west. The points where this line cuts 
the earth's surface are thejw/cs of the earth; and the intervening line is the 
cartlCs axis, and the revolution of the earth round this axis from west to 
east, causes the apparent revolutions of the celestial bodies in the opposite 
direction. 

A plane passing through the centre of the "earth at right angles to its axis, 
cuts the surface in the terrestrial equator ; and being extended to the concave 
surface of the visible heavens, forms the equinoctial circle, or celestial 
equator. The portions of the earth and the heavens which are situated on 
the northern and southern sides respectively of this plane, are called the 
northern and southern hemispheres. 

As the earth performs its annual revolution round the sun, suppose the 
plane of its orbit extended to the concave surface surrounding us, the circle 
which I his plane would form among the stars, by its intersection, would be 



Foldout 



List Page(s): 



the sun's apparent yearly path'. This circle is called the ecliptic. The 
ecliptic and celestial equator intersect each other in two opposite points, 
called the equinoxes ; and the points in the ecliptic, which are 90 degrees 
from the equinoxes, and where the ecliptic recedes to its greatest distance 
from the equinoctial circle, are called the solstices. 

Two great circles passing through the poles, and the equinoxes and sols- 
tices respectively, dividing the heavens into four equal parts, as shown by 
the line passing through the pole and center of each map, are called the 
equinoctial and solstitial coheres. Ten other great circles, in addition to these, 
passing through the poles, and cutting the celestial equator at intervals of 
fifteen degrees, divide that circle into twenty-four equal parts. These are 
termed hour circles. The vernal equinox is the point of the ecliptic in which 
the sun appears, when the days and nights are of equal length in the spring. 
As the succeeding part of the ecliptic is in the northern hemisphere, the 
the sun upon passing the meridian of any place on successive days, will 
appear to rise more and more to the north, until it arrives at the solstice 
which is termed the summer solstice. Thence it will pass the meridian on 
succeeding days more and more to the south, crossing the equinoctial again 
at the autumnal equinox, when the days and nights are of equal length in 
the fall or autumn. The remaining part of the ecliptic is in the southern 
hemisphere. The simi continues moving on until it arrives at its greatest 
distance south, called the ivinter solstice, from which it again returns to the 
north. The splendour of the sun prevents our seeing the stars near it, but 
those in the part opposite to where the earth is, are visible. The sun passes 
the vernal equinox about the 2 1st of 3d mo., (March); the stars in this^ 
quarter are visible in autumn : the summer solstice about the 22d of 6th 
mo., (June), the stars at this point being visible in winter: the autumnal 
equinox about the 23d of 9th mo., (September); the stars are seen in the 
spring: and the winter solstice about the 22d of 12th mo., (December), the 
stats may be seen as shown on the summer Map. 

The passage of the sun through the equinoxes is usually termed crossing 
the line ; as it passes from one hemisphere to the other. 

Extending quite round the heavens, eight degrees on each side of the 
ecliptic is a zone called the zodiac. It is divided into 360 equal parts, called 
degrees. It is also divided into 12 equal parts of 30 degrees each, called 
the twelve sig?ts of the Zodiac. 

In or near this zone are found twelve icanderers or planets, viz. : Mercury, 
Venus, Mars, Vesta, Astrsea, Juno, Ceres, Pallas, Jupiter, Saturn, Herschel, 
and Le Verrier, which have a motion from west to east, the same as the 
earth. 

The hours of the day being determined by the passage of the sun over the 
meridian of the place where the observer is located, and the motion of the earth 
in its orbit giving to the sun the apparent motion of nearly a degree east- 
wardly in twenty-four hours, the fixed stars pass the meridian nearly four 
minutes earlier on each successive night. This, in a month, amounts to 
about two hours. Hence, if the stars are observed at the same hour of the 
night, at intervals of a month, those which were on the meridian at the time 
of the former observation, are found to have passed it about two hours, at the 
time of the latter. An observation made at a given hour of the night, being 
repeated at the corresponding hour, after the expiration of six months, would 
find a different set of stars ; those which were on the meridian at the former 
period being mostly below the horizon ; and the positions of the circumpolar 
stars, or those which do not set, being exchanged ; such as were above the 
pole being now below it, and vice versa. 



For easy and familiar reference the pupil can take the map appropriate 
for the season of observation, hold it over head, so that the Northern, 
Southern, Eastern, and Western horizons shall severally be towards those 
points. Should it be about nine o'clock, and near the middle of the season, 
the stars wjll be seen in the heavens nearly as represented on the map. 

The stars which do not sensibly change their situation with respect to one 
another, are called Fixed Stars. 

The declination of a star is its distance either north or south of the 
equator, measured on a great circle which passes through the star and the 
poles of the heavens. Such a circle is at right angles to the equator, and 
is termed a meridian. The circles parallel to the equator are termed 'paral- 
lels of declination. 

The great circle, or equatorial colure, passing through the pole and vernal 
equinox, is called the Jlrst meridian. 

The right ascension of a heavenly body is the distance on the equator 
east, from the first meridian, to the meridian passing through that body. 

To find when a star will be on the meridian at 9 o'clock, first find the 
star on the map, then observe where the meridian of the star will cut the 
equator, at which point of meeting will be found the month and day required. 

John Bayer, a native of Augsburg, minister of the«gospel, who owes his 
fame to his astronomical knowledge, in 1603 published charts of the Constel- 
lations, with a new nomenclature, the stars (according to their magnitude) 
being denoted by Greek letters. The universal adoption of this nomencla- 
ture makes a knowledge of the Greek alphabet indispensable. Hence the 
letters are here given, et, Alpha ; /3, Beta ; y, Gamma ; <J N , Delta ; e, Epsilon ; 
£, Zeta ,* jj, Eta ; £•, Theta ; /, Iota ; k. Kappa ; A, Lambda ; ^, Mu ; v, Nu ; 
|, Xi ; o, Omicro* ; vr, Pi ; p, Rho ; c, Sigma ; r, Tau ; v, Upsilon ; <p, Phi ; 
X, Chi ; -js, Psi ; <w, Omega. 

This little work is intended to be to the starry heavens, what the new«nd 
improved system of Geography is to the earth. The first step is to learn 
the Greek letters, so thoroughly that they may be known the instant they 
are seen ; the second is, to apply them to the principal stars in the different 
constellations on the maps, until they can be correctly repeated on that 
beautiful outline map, which is spread above us every clear evening. 



NAMES OF THE CONSTELLATIONS. 



Ursa Minor — TJie Little Bear. 

Ursa Major — The Great Bear. 

Cassiopea — Lady in the Chair. 

Cepheus — The King. 

Andromeda. 

Perseus et Caput Medusa. 

Auriga — The Wagoner. 

Camelopardalis — The Giraffe. 

Lynx — The Lynx. 

Leo Minor — The Little Lion. 

Musca — The Fly. 

Triangula — The Triangles. 

Pisces — The Fishes. 

Aries— The Ram. 

Taurus— The Bull. 

Gemini — The Twins. 

Cancer — The C?'ab. 

Leo Major — The Great Lion. 

Virgo — The Virgin. 

Libra — The Scales. 

Scorpio — The Scorpion. 

Sagittarius — The Archer. 

Capricornus — The Goat. 

Aquarius — The Water Bearer. 

Piscis Australis — The Southern 

Fish. 
Antinous. 

Aquila — The Eagle. 
Delphinus— The Dolphin. 
Equuleus — The Little Horse. 



Pegasus — The Flying Horse. 
Honores Frederici — Frederick's 

Glory. 
Lacerta — The Lizard. 
Cygnus — The Sivan. 
Lyra — The Harp. 
Vulpeculaet Anser — The Fox and 

Goose. 
Taurus Poniatowski — The Polish 

Bull. 
Serpentarius vel Ophiuchus — 

The Serpent Bearer. 
Hercules et Cerberus. 
Corona Borealis — The Northern 

Crown. 
Bootes — The Herdsman. 
Coma Berenices — Berenices' Hair. 
Canis Minor — The Little Dog. 
Hydra — The. Water Serpent. 
Crater — The Cup. 
Corvus — The Crow. 
Monoceros — The Unicorn. 
Argo Navis — The Ship Argo. 
Canis Major — The Great Dog. 
Orion. 

Lepus — The Hair. 
Columba — Noah's Dove. 
Eridanus — The River Po. 
Cetus — The Whale. 



A DESCRIPTION 



OF THE PRINCIPAL 



CONSTELLATIONS AND STARS. 



Ursa Minor. — The Little Bear. 



The Little Bear contains seven principal stars so situated as to have the 
form of a dipper, the Polar star is in the end of the luzndle, viz. : x, the 
North Polar Star — by the Greeks called Synosyre, by the Romans Oyne- 
sura, :by others Ruccaba, or Atruccabah, J" Vikliur, e, £, a, /3 Kochab, 
y Phcrkal, ij, a, <3, y, are in a line, and called the Guards of tlte Littlz 
Bear, 

This is a small, though very noted Constellation, on account of the situa- 
tion and use of its principal star, which is so near the North Pole that it 
served for ages as a guide to the mariner in directing his bark across the 
seas. It may also be used to advantage by the practical surveyor, as fur- 
nishing a convenient method of drawing a true meridian, for which method 
see Gummere's Surveying, page 203. It is necessary to know that the Pole 
Star is not in the true north. It is stated in the Nautical Almanac that, on 
the first of the year 1850, it was a mean distance of 1°, 29', 23.16", from the 
true pole towards Cassiopea, as shown on all the maps. Hence, it appears to 
move in a circle around the true pole of the heavens, and passes the meri- 
dian once when above, and once below the pole, in a sidereal day. The 
proper time to take observations on this star is when it is on the meridian. 

Surveyors wishing to know the variation of their needle can easily do 

so, by ranging it with the North Pole Star when on the meridian which 

time wiU.be readily known by examining the "maps while Cassiopea is there 

also If the star was exactly at the pole, an observer at the equator would 

sec it (,f the air was sufficiently clear) in the horizon ; but by travelling any 

numb rol degrees towards the north, the horizon would be that number 

ed,and the pole star would appear to rise the same number of decrees 

?Z™ the h °P zon ' U r therefore, we observe with a sextant, or other proper 

"f^ent, the altitude of the polar, or any other circumpolar star above 

'he hor fting for refraction, when on the meridian ; and increase 

° 5«»»»h he altitude, according as the star is below or above th ■ pale, by 

■ distance from the pole; th will be the latitude of the place If 

■ and least altitude of a circumpolar star be taken on the same 

j;;-'.;;- and crated for refraction, half their sum will be the latitude of .he 

. |J !•" ,! ," ,; ,take '-; m:: ' 1 " b y those who suppose the Pole Star a fixed point 
; « "'• ""Ma changing its situation, ami mo > ing towards the true north, 
ha« in the year 2X50 it will onlj be 20' from he pole. The annua 

variation being 17.71 seconds. 



Ursa Major. — The Great Bear. 

This great Northern Constellation contains a large number of very con- 
spicuous stars, whic*h, when thoroughly learned, and satisfactorily traced 
out, will ever remain in the mind clear and vivid. This constellation can be 
seen in this latitude all the year. 

The most important stars in it are : a Dubhe, /3 Merah, y Phekda or 
Phad, «r Megrez, e Alioth, £ Mizar, jj Benetnash ; ^, v Alula Borealis, § 
Alula Australia, p. Tania Australis, A Tania Borealis ; i Talita, S-, <p,v, 
h, o ; and g Alcor. 

« and /3 are called the pointers, because they point out the position of the 
pole. A line from /3 to a, continued 28f ° degrees beyond the latter, passes 
nearly through the pole. These, with y, P, e, f, and ij, form the long known 
and memorable group termed by many the Dipper, or Ladle ; in some parts 
of England, " Charles's Wain," or wagon drawn by three horses ; by others 
the Cleaver, or Plough. 

The distance from cc to /S is 5° ; from /3 to y, 8° ; from y to ^, 4^° ; from £ 
to a 10° ; from } to e, 5|° ; from t to f 4|° ; from £ to « is 7°. As this bril- 
liant cluster is always in view, the student by becoming familiar with them, 
will have a standard of measure before him, which the eye can make use 
of in determining the distance between other stars. 

<f, in the handle of the dipper, or tail of the Great Bear, is a beautiful double 
star. This is one of the most interesting of the stellar systems. The revolution 
of these stars was noticed in 1781, since which time they have completed one 
revolution, and eleven years on a second, Alcor, which appears almost to touch 
<f, Dr. Dick supposes to be 200,000,000,000 miles from it, and that the smaller 
revolves round the larger with a velocity not less than 2,471,000 miles every hour. 
This would be 85 times the velocity of Jupiter, and 23 times that of Mercury, the 
swiftest planet in the Solar System. 

Dr. Dick further observes : " To some minds, not accustomed to deep reflection, 
it may appear a very trivial fact, to behold a small and scarcely distinguishable 
point of light immediately adjacent to a larger star, and to be informed that this 
lucid point revolves around its larger attendant; but this phenomenon, minute and 
trivial as it may at first sight appear, proclaims the astonishing fact, that SUNS 
REVOLVE AROUND SUNS, AND SYSTEMS AROUND SYSTEMS. This 
is a comparatively new idea, derived from our late sidereal investigations, and 
forms one of the most sublime conceptions which the modern discoveries of astro- 
nomy have imparted. It undoubtedly conveys a very sublime idea, to contemplate 
such a globe as the planet Jupiter — a body thirteen hundred times larger than the 
earth — revolving around the sun at the rate of twenty-nine thousand miles every 
hour ; and the planet Saturn, with its rings and moons, revolving in a similar 
manner round this central orb, in an orbit five thousand six hundred and ninety 
millions of miles in circumference. But how much more august and overpower- 
ing the conception of a SUN revolving around another SUN — of a sun encircled 
with a retinue of huge planetary bodies, all in rapid motion, revolving round a 
distant sun over a circumference a hundred times larger than what has been now 
stated, and with a velocity perhaps a hundred times greater than that of either 
Jupiter or Saturn, and carrying all its planets, satellites, comets, or other globes 
along with it in its swift career ! Such a sun, too, may as far exceed these planets 
in size as our sun transcends in magnitude either this or the planet Venus, the 
bulk of any one of which scarcely amounts to the thirteen-hundred-thousandth 
part, of the solar orb which enlivens our day. The further we advance in our ex- 
plorations of the distant regions of space, and the more minute and specific our 
investigations are, the more august and astonishing are the scenes which open to 
our view, and the more elevated do our conceptions become of the grandeur of 
that Almighty Being who 'marshalled all the starry hosts,' and of the multiplicity 
and variety of arrangements he has introduced into his vast creation. And this 
consideration ought to serve as an argument to every rational being, both in a 



10 

scientific and religious point of view, to stimulate him to a study of the operations 
of the Most High, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working, and 
whose works in every part of his domains adumbrate the glory of his perfections, 
and proclaim the depths of his wisdom, and the greatness of his power." 

Fable says Ursa Major is Calisto, or Helice, one of the attendants of Diana, 
the great goddess of the Ephesians. See Acts, chap, xix., 21-41. After the jea- 
lousy of Juno had changed her into a bear, Jupiter placed her among the Constel- 
lations to prevent her being hurt by huntsmen. 



Cas-si-o-pe'a. — Lady in the Chair. 

Is represented as a queen seated on a throne or chair, holding in her hand 
the branch of a palm-tree. The principal stars are — <* ScJiedir, /3 Chaph, 
y, k, ? Uneba, s. 

This group of stars looks not unlike a chair, which is inverted in respect 
to the Lady who occupies it. 

/3 Caph, and $ Megres, in the Great Bear, are nearly at the same distance 
from the pole, and are near the equinoctial colure. (Z on the quadrant be- 
tween the pole and the vernal, and P on the quadrant between the pole and 
the autumnal equinox. 

Persons wishing to know the latitude of the place they are in, can easily 
do so by taking the altitude of the Pole star when /3 and ^ are the same 
height above the horizon — one east, and the other west of the pole. The 
altitude will be the latitude of the place. Also, the variation of the compass 
may be as easily told by observing when either of the stars is on the meri- 
dian ; the other, and the pole star, must be so too, at which time a compass 
ranged with the N. pole store will show the variation of the needle. 

Cassiopea is surrounded by the royal family. King Cepheus, her husband, is on 
her right ; her beautiful daughter Andromeda just above her, and her distinguish- 
ed son-in-law Perseus on her left. > 

Mythological history informs us that Cassiopea toas the wife of Cepheus, King of 
JEthiopia, and mother of Andromeda. She was a queen of matchless beauty, and 
seemed to be sensible of it; for she even boasted herself fairer than Juno, the 
sister of Jupiter, or the Nereides, a-name given to the sea nymphs. This so pro- 
voked the ladies of the sea that they complained to Neptune of the insult, who 
sent a frightful monster to ravage her coast as a punishment for her insolence. 
But the anger of Neptune and the jealousy of the nymphs were not thus appeased. 
They demanded, and it was finally ordained that Cassiopea should chain her 
daughter Andromeda, whom she tenderly loved, to a desert rock on the beach, and 
leave her exposed to the fury of this monster. She was thus left, and the monster 
approached ; but just as he was about to devour her, Perseus killed him." 

Two hundred and seventy-eight years ago a bright star appeared 5 deg. N.N.E. 
of /8, which is not now to be seen. 

On the 8th of 11th mo., 1572, Tycho Brahe, a celebrated Danish astronomer, 
observed a star in Cassiopea, which increased in brightness until it surpassed a 
star of the first magnitude. It was seen at noon-day, and without changing its 
position, it grew darker and darker until the 15th of the 3d month, 1574, when it 
entirely disappeared, and has never been seen since. " This star exhibited all the 
different shades of a prodigious flame — first it was of a dazzling white, then of a 
reddish yellow, and lastly of an ashy paleness, in which light it expired." " It is 
impossible," says Mary Somerville, " to imagine anything more tremendous than 
a conflagration which could be visible at such a distance." 

Dr. Dick also observes : " The splendour concentrated in that point of the hea- 
vens where the star appeared, must have been, in reality, more than equal to the 
blaze of twelve hundred thousand worlds such as ours, were they all collected * 
into one mass, and all at once wrapped in flames. Nay, it is not improbable, were 



11 

a globe as large as would fill the whole circumference of the earth's annual orbit, 
to be lighted up with a splendor similar to that of the sun, it would scarcely sur- 
pass in brilliancy and splendor the star to which we refer." He farther observes, 
that " within the last century no less than thirteen stars, in different constella- 
tions, were seen to have totally perished, and ten new ones to have been created." 

La Place observes : " As to these stars, which suddenly shine with a very vivid 
light, and then suddenly disappear, it is extremely probable that, great conflagra- 
tions, produced by extraordinary causes, take place on their surface. This conjec- 
ture is confirmed by their change of colour, which is analogous to that presented 
to us on the earth, by those bodies which are set on fire, and then gradually extin- 
guished." 

Dr. Good, author of the " Book of Nature," expresses himself thus : " Worlds 
and systems of worlds are not only perpetually creating, but also perpetually dis- 
appearing. It is an extraordinary fact, that within the period of the last century, 
not less than thirteen stars, in different constellations, seem to have totally perished, 
and ten new ones to have been created. In many instances it is unquestionable, 
that stars themselves, the supposed habitations of other kinds or orders of intelli- 
gent beings, together with the different planets by which it is probable they were 
surrounded, have utterly vanished; and the spots they occupied in the heavens, 
have become blanks. What has befallen other systems, will assuredly befal our 
own. Of the time and manner we know nothing, but the fact is incontrovertible ; 
it is foretold by revelation ; it is inscribed in the heavens ; it is felt through the 
earth ; such is the awful and daily text, what, then, ought to be the comment." 



Ce-phe'us. — The King. 

The principal stars are : a Alderamin, /3 Alphirk, y Errai, v>. Cepheus 
contains a number of small stars. His head and crown are in the milky way, 
and foot over the north pole. The crown may be easily traced by the small 
stars s, J, £ and <r. This constellation is nearly on meridian at 8 o'clock on 
the 3d of 11th mo. 

By examining the maps it will be seen that the nearer the stars are to the 
pole, the smaller will be the circle in which they appear to move, and the 
less their apparent motion. Like Cassiopea, it may be seen every clear^ 
evening ; for, to us, it never sets. 

The pole of the heavens performs a revolution around the pole of the 
ecliptic in 25,600 years, which change will bring y, or Errai, 1° 50' from 
the pole in the year 4200, so that y will then be the N. pole star. In the 
year 6000 /3 Alphirk, will be 4° from it. /3 will then be the pole star. In 
the year 7500 a. Alderamin, will be 2° from the pole, and for the same reason 
it will then be the pole star. 



An-drom'e-da. — Called by the Arabs Phoca, the Seal, 

Daughter of King Cepheus and Cassiopea, is on the meridian at 10 o'clock 
the 10th of 11th month. 

The principal stars are <* Sirrah, J 1 , /3 Merach, y Alamak. a should be 
well fixed in the mind. It is one of the stars in the great square of Pegasus. 
It, with y Pegasus, 14° south of it, /3 Cassiopea, 30° degrees north of it, and 
the N. pole, mark out the position of that great circle in the heavens from 
which the longitude, and right ascension of all the heavenly bodies are 
measured. 



12 

Per'se-us et Caput Medusae. — Perseus and Medusas Head. 

Is on the meridian the 24th of 12th mo., (December.) Let it be remem- 
bered that when a constellation is spoken of as being on the meridian, it is 
the center, and at 9 o'clock. The principal stars are a Merzalc, or Algenib, 
/3 Algol, y, 2, v, f, ft, c, p ; a Alix, and v; Nimbus. Medusa's head is part 
of the constellation Perseus. It is a trunkless head, crowned with snakes, 
instead of hair. Its chief star, /3, is on the meridian the 21st of 12th mo., 
(December.) 

Algol, in the head of Medusa, is worthy of particular notice, as it at times 
blazes forth as a star of the 2d magnitude. In three and a half hours it decreases to 
the 4th magnitude, and back again in the same time. It then remains at its brightest 
for two and three quarter days, when the same changes take place. In 1783, 
John Goodricke, of York, England, by repeated observations on this star, deter- 
mined that its regular periodical variation takes place in 2 days, 20 hours, 48 mi- 
nutes, and 56 seconds. 

The immense distance of the stars puts it out of the power of man to tell with 
certainty what takes place on their surfaces, but still learned men have formed 
various opinions respecting their changes. 

Dr. Herchel writes thus : " The rotary motion of stars upon their axis is a 
capital feature in their resemblance to the sun. It appears to me now, that we 
cannot refuse to admit such a motion, and that indeed it may be as evidently proved 
as the diurnal motion of the earth. Dark spots, or large portions of the surf ice 
less luminous than the rest, turned alternately in certain directions, either towards, 
or from us, will account for all the phenomena of periodical changes in the lustre 
of the stars, so satisfactorily, that we certainly need not look out for any other 
cause." According to the Greek fable, Perseus is son of Jupiter by Danae. He 
gained the heart and hand of Andromeda by slaying the sea monster just as he was 
about to devour her ; loosed her from the rock where she was chained, and bore 
her off in triumph. 



Au-ri'ga. — The Wagoner. 

The Charioteer, or Wagoner, with a goat and her kids, is due north of 
Orion, one of the brightest constellations in the heavens. They are on the 
same meridian, and culminate at the same time on the 24th 1st mo: 

The principal stars are <* or the Goat, or Capella, or Alhajot, /3, or 
Menkalina, P, <?, £ , ?;, B-. 

The stars in this constellation are so situated that they form several beau- 
tiful triangles, which the ingenious pupil can easily trace by referring -to the 
maps. While the^Wagoner is on the meridian, we have a more sublime view 
of the heavens than at any other season. 

Charles Hutton, LL.D., in his dictionary, states that " the Greeks probably re- 
ceived this, and all their other constellations from the Egyptians; but, wanting to 
appear the inventors of them themselves, and not understanding the meaning of 
the figures, they have clothed them with some of their own fabulous dresses to 

favour the deceit." 

f 



Cam'cl-o-par-da-lis. — The Camehpard. 

This constellation was made in the beginning of the seventeenth century, 
by Hevelius, out of the unformed small stars, scattered over a large space 
between the Wagoner and the North pole, and between Cassiopea and Ursa 
Major. The stars are all small, and are situated so far from each other, that 
it is difficult to trace them. Its brightest stars are of the fourth magnitude, 
of which there are live. 



13 

Lynx. 

This constellation was also established by Hevelius. Its center is on the 
meridian, the 23d of 2d mo., (February.) It contains only a few small stars. 



Leo Minor. — The Little Lion. 

This constellation was also established by John Hevelius, the celebrated 
astronomer of Dantzic. 

It is on the meridian on the 6th of 4th month. The stars are all small, 
but can be easily traced by referring to the maps. 



Mus-ca.—- The Fly, 

Is a small constellation, containing one star of the 3d, and two of the 
4th magnitude, viz. a, &, c. 



Triangula. — The Triangles. 

This constellation formerly contained but one triangle, but Hevelius added 
a second, which is still retained. 

The stars are all small ; the largest are a, Mettallah, /3 and y. 



Pis'ces. — The Fishes. 

* 

This constellation is now the " Leader of the Celestial Hosts." It is oil 
the meridian on the 24th of 11th month, (Nov.) The stars are all small; 
the principal ones are of the 4th magnitude, viz., a or El Rischa, sj, e, £, #, 
and y. 

The sun enters this sign on the 19th of 2d mo., (February,) but does not 
reach the constellation until the 6th of 3d month, (March.) 

The annual precession of the stars has caused the constellation Pisces to 
occupy the sign of Aries, Aries that of Taurus ; each constellation haying 
advanced one whole sign in the order of the zodiac. 

The character (X) is supposed to have the appearance of two fishes, tied 
back to back. 

This constellation occupies a large triangular space in the heavens. Com- 
mencing at /3 Andromeda, it goes S.S. Easterly to a ; there it takes a westerly 
course, embracing a number of small stars, until it comes near to sj, £, y, t, 
so situated that they have the appearance of the letter Y in the urn of the 
Water Bearer. 

It is very probable that this sign originated from the fact, that when the 
sun was in it, fish were abundant, and easily taken. 

The ancient Greeks, who have some fable to account for the origin of almost 
every constellation, say " that as Venus and her son Cupid were one day on the 
banks of the Euphrates, they were greatly alarmed at the appearance of a terrible 
giant named Typhon. Throwing themselves into the river they were changed 
into fishes, and by this means escaped danger. To commemorate this event Mi- 
nerva placed two fishes among the stars." 



14 

A'ri-es. — The Ram. 

A'ri-es, the first sign, but second constellation in the order of the zodiac, 
is on the meridian the 5th of the 12th mo., (December.) 

Hipparchus, of Nicsea, in Bithynia, who flourished about a century and 
half before the Christian era, and who was the first to number the stars, and 
reduce them to a catalogue, informs us that Aries in his time was on the equa- 
torial colure, and the first sign in the zodiac. But owing to the precession of the 
equinox, the constellations advance from the equinox 50" every year. This, 
since the time of Hipparchus has amounted to more than a sign. Hence, 
the constellation Pisces occupies the sign of the zodiac where Aries was 
anciently found, in other words, each constellation has advanced one sign in 
the zodiac ; so that Pisces now occupies the place of Aries, Aries that of 
Taurus, Taurus that of Gemini, &c. 

The principal stars of Aries are a, Arietis or Hamel, p Sherata?i y y 
Mesarthius. 

« Aries, being near the plane of the moon's orbit, is often used by 
mariners to determine the longitude of the place where they are on the ocean. 
By observing with a Hadley's sextant the distance of the moon, and a known 
star, together with their altitudes, the longitude may be computed. 

Should he get lost, he can (with this portable instrument, which he can 
hold in his hand, and no better footing than the deck of his vessel,) take the 
distance between this star and the moon, and calculate his position, as well 
as his course and distance from any harbor, or port on the earth. 

The stars chiefly used for this purpose by mariners are : a. Arietis ; a 
Aldebaran in Taurus ; /3 Pollux, in the Twins ; cc Regulus, in the Great 
Lion ; a, Spica, in Virgo ; « Antares, in the Scorpion ; * Altair, in 
Aquila; * Markab, in the great square of Pegasus; and a Fo?nalhaut, in 
the Southern Fish. 

" Capt. Basil Hall, of the royal navy, relates that he sailed from San Bias, on 
the west coast of Mexico, and after a voyage of 8000 miles, occupying eighty- 
nine days, arrived off Rio Janeiro, having in this interval passed through the Paci- 
fic ocean, rounded Cape Horn, and crossed the South Atlantic, without making 
any land, or seeing a single sail in the voyage. Arrived within a few days sail of 
Rio, he took a set of lunar observations to ascertain his true position, and the bear- 
ing of the harbor ; and shaped his course accordingly. " I hove to," says he, " at 
four in the morning till day should break, and then bore up; for although it was 
hazy, we could see before us a couple of miles or so. About 8 o'clock it became 
so foggy that I did not like to stand in further, and was just bringing the ship to 
the wind again before sending the people to breakfast, when it suddenly cleared 
off, and I had the satisfaction of seeing the great sugar-loaf rock, which stands on 
one side of the harbor's mouth, so nearly .right ahead, that we had not to alter our 
course above a point in order to hit the entrance of Rio. This was the first land 
we had seen for three months, after crossing so many seas, and being set back- 
wards and forwards by innumerable currents and foul winds." 

The ancients having no instruments that would measure time exactly, had re- 
course to a very easy, but ingenious method of dividing the zodiac into the twelve 
signs, or equal parts. "They took a vessel with a small hole in the bottom, and 
having filled it with water, suffered the same to distil, drop by drop, into another 
vessel set beneath to receive it, beginning at the moment when a star rose, and 
continuing till it rose the night following, when it would have performed one com- 
plete revolution in the heavens. The water falling down into the receiver, they 
divided into twelve equal parts: and having twelve other small vessels in readi- 
ness, each of them capable of containing one part, they again poured all the water 
into the upper vessel, and observing the rising of some star in the zodiac, at the 
same time suffered the water to drop into one of the small vessels. As soon as it 
was full they removed it, and set an empty one in its place. Just as each vessel 



15 



was full they took notice what star in the zodiac rose at that time, and thus conti- 
nued the process through the year, until the twelve vessels were filled." 

Having thus divided the zodiac, or sun's apparent path, into twelve equal spaces 
of 30 deg. each, they called them the twelve signs of the zodiac. The sun ap- 
pears to pass over one sign a month ; through the whole in a year. 

The stars that rose in the zodiac while the first vessel was filling were called 
Aries, an animal held in much esteem by the Chaldean Shepherds ; those that rose 
while the second vessel was filling were called Taurus, &c. 

" According to fable, this is the ram which bore the golden fleece, and carried 
Phryxus and his sister Helle through the air, when;they fled to Colchis from the 
persecution of their step-mother Ino. The rapid motion of the ram in his aerial 
flight high above the earth, caused the head of Helle to turn with giddiness, and 
she fell from his back, into that part of the sea which was afterwards called Hel- 
lespont in commemoration of the dreadful event. Phryxus arrived safe at Colchis, 
but was soon murdered by his own father-in-law, iEtes, who envied him his golden 
treasure. This gave rise to the celebrated Argonautic expedition, under the com- 
mand of Jason, for the recovery of the golden fleece." 



Tau'rus.— The Bull. 

Is the third constellation in the order of the zodiac. In the days of Noah, 
the year opened when the sun was in Taurus. Taurus was for 2000 years 
the leader of the Celestial Host. Aries next took the lead, and now the 
Fishes. Taurus is on the meridian the 10th of first month, (Jan.) 

The principal stars are <* Aldebaran, /3 Aurigce, or EL Nath, f, y 
Hyadum I., & Hyadum II., s Ain, Hyades and Pleiades, or Seven Stars. 

a, y, ^, e, and 3-, form a beautiful resemblance of the letter V. This 
cluster is called Hyades. 

Pleiades, or seven stars, in the fable, are called the seven daughters of 
Atlas; their names are: y Alcyone, /3 Electra, £ Merope, Maia, Tayeta, 
Sterope and Celeno. 

Merope is dim among her sisters, because she was the only one who mar- 
ried a mortal. 

O. M. Mitchell, Director of the Cincinnati Observatory, writes thus : "», Tauri— 
Right Ascension — 3 h., 37 m., 59 s. Decl. — N. 23 deg., 36 m., 3 s. Alcyone, 
the principal star in the Pleiades, a small cluster visible to the eye in the neck of 
Taurus. This little group has ever been remarkable, but recently a ten-fold inte- 
rest has been given to it by the announcement of Dr. Madler, of Dorpat, Russia, 
that its chief star, Alcyone, is the central sun of our astral system. It is abso- 
lutely certain that the law of gravitation extends to the fixed stars, as is abund- 
antly shown by the orbitual revolution of the double stars, whose periods and 
places have been computed by the application of this law. 

This being certain, in the mighty group of millions of stars with which our own 
sun is associated, there must be a center of gravity ; and it then remains to deter- 
mine whether this point is filled by a ponderous globe, of vast dimensions, and 
bearing the same relation in point of magnitude to the millions of suns by which 
it is surrounded, as our own sun does to the planets, satellites, and comets by 
which it is encircled. Analogy, in the solar system, taught the existence of such 
a ponderous mass, but this analogy was broken in the revolving stars, in which it 
often occurs that the components are nearly equal in magnitude, moving round a 
common center of gravity. 

Again, in examining the heavens, such a mighty preponderating body would be 
detected by the swifter proper motion of the stars in its vicinity. After a laborious 
search, Madler reached the conclusion that no such vast globe existed, and that 
the center of gravity, (probably vacant,) could only be found by a severe examina- 
tion of the proper motions of, the fixed stars. By a beautiful train of reasoning 



16 

and closely conducted research, he finally reached the conclusion that Alcyone, in 
the Pleiades, now holds the high rank of central sun ; but that in the course of 
ages, by the changes constantly going on among the components of our astral 
system, this rank may pass to some other star. He computes roughly the distance 
of Alcyone, and reckons it to be so great, that light, flying with a velocity of 
twelve millions of miles a minute, cannot reach us from that star in less than 537 
years. He further computes roughly, that our sun revolves about Alcyone in a 
period of 18,200,000 years, in an orbit inclined to the ecliptic, under an angle of 
84 deg. 00 m. Should this wonderful theory be confirmed, the proper motions of 
the fixed stars assume a new and increased interest. 

Grecian mythology states that Jupiter became enamored with Europa. In order 
to deceive her, he transformed himself into a snow white bull, and mingled among 
the herd, where she became so much pleased with his beauty and tameness, that 
she mounted on his back; he then bore his rich prize across the seas into the 
country that derived from her its name. In honor of which service Jupiter placed 
the bull among the constellations. 

Taurus, in the Hebrew zodiac, is ascribed to Joseph. 



Gem'i-ni. — The Twins. 

This constellation culminates about the 24th of 2d month, (February.) 
The cTTief stars are : a Castor or Apollo, /3 Pollux or Hercules, $ Wasat, £, 
s Mebusta, p, y Tejat, and y Alhena. 

The sun passes through this constellation between the 21st of 6th month, 
(June,) and the 23d of 7th month, (July.) 

a. and /3, the two principal stars in this constellation, have a sensible va- 
riation in brightness. Some astronomers suppose /3 to vary from the first to 
the third magnitude. Herschel, who observed these stars for twenty-five 
years, believes the variation of Alpha to be owing to two stars very close 
together ; the less revolving around the larger in a period of 342 years and 
two months. 

The fabulous account of this'constellation is, that " Castor and Pollux were twin 
brothers, sons of Jupiter, by Leda, the wife of Tyndarus, king of Sparta. Among 
the ancients, and especially among the Romans, there prevailed a superstition that 
Castor and Pollux often appeared at the head of their armies, and led on their 
troops to battle and to victory." 

St. Paul, after being wrecked on the island of Malta, embarked for Rome "in a 
ship whose sign was Castor and Pollux," so named, no doubt, in accordance with 
the popular belief that these divinities presided over the science and safety of na- 
vigation. 

Castor and Pollux were worshipped both by the Greeks and Romans, who sacri- 
ficed white lambs upon their altars. In the Hebrew zodiac, the constellation of 
the Twins refers to the tribe of Benjamin. 



Can'cer. — The Crab. 

This is now the fifth constellation in the zodiac. It contains but few im- 
portant stars, the principal of which are : a Acubens or Sertan or Ezzabaii, 
p>, £ Southern Asellas, & t e Prcesepe or the Manger, y Northern Ascllus, 
and /. . 

Cancer is on the meridian on the 11th of 3d month, (March.) The sun 
reaches this constellation about the 23d of 7th month, (July.) 



17 

Leo Major. — The Great Idon, 

Is the sixth constellation of the zodiac. Its center is on the meridian the 
6th of 4th month, (A.pril,) at 9 o'clock. 

This beautiful constellation contains a large number of brilliant stars, 
which are easily traced. The chief of them are a. or Regulus, y, y or Algieba, 
£ or Aldhafera, /& or the Northern Rasel-Asad, s or the Southern Ras-el- 
Asad, A, k. or Minchir ; /3 or Denebola, E., J", or Zosma or Hur-el-Asad, $■; 
h X, <r, r, 9 and e. 

a, was named Regulus from an illustrious Roman consul of that name. It 
is a bright star, and less than a -§° from the ecliptic, and much used by ma- 
riners to obtain their longitude while at sea. 

When the sun entered Leo the heat was very great, which caused the 
streams to dry up, and the lions to leave their desert retreat, and haunt the 
banks of the Nile, so that we might naturally expect to find the lion in his 
present position. 

In the Hebrew zodiac, Leo is assigned to Judah, as can be seen Genesis, 
49 chap., 9th v. " Judah is a lion's whelp : — he stooped down, he couched 
as a lion, and as an old lion : who shall rouse him up?" Rev., chap. 5, v. 
5. " The lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed." 



Vir'go.— The Virgin. 

This is the seventh constellation in the ecliptic. Its centre is on the me- 
ridian about the 23d of 5th month, (May.) The sun enters the sign of 
Virgo on the 23d of 8th month, (August,) but does not enter the constella- 
lation until the 15th of 9th month, (Sept.) 

The chief stars are, « Spica the ear of corn or Azimech, $■, y, y Zaniah, 
j3 Savijava ; v, o ; s Almuredin or Vindemitrix, ^, £, r ; z, <p, /, k, a and (*>. 

y, a star of the 4th magnitude, affords scope for reflections of the most 
profound nature. How grand and sublime is the fact that the earth moves 
through space at the rate of a thousand miles per minute, at the same time 
accompanied by its moon. But how much more grand to contemplate that 
the planet Jupiter, thirteen hundred times as large as the earth, moves in the 
same direction, accompanied by four moons. And still more grand, that 
the center round which they are moving, viz., the sun, is fourteen hundred 
thousand times as large as the earth ! It is difficult to conceive the immense 
size of this great luminary. Were the sun's center placed in the center of 
the moon's orbit, it would not only fill it up, but extend two hundred thou- 
sand miles beyond it in every direction ; thus filling with one solid mass the 
moon's orbit, and extending nearly as far beyond as the moon is from the 
earth. A body of such stupendous dimensions, maintaining its position in 
boundless space, tells at once of the might and power of its great Creator, i 

Astronomers believe each fixed star to be a sun similar to our own. The 
star y in Virgo is a double star ; the smaller one revolves around the larger 
in 145.409 years. There we behold one sun revolving around another, 
either of which may be as large as ours. Such is but a faint idea of the 
immensity and grandeur of the heavenly bodies. 

According to fable, Virgo was the goddess of justice. 



18 

Li'bra.— The Scales, 

Is on the meridian about the 22d of the 6th month, (June.) The sun 
enters the sign on the 23d of the 9th month, (September,) at the autumnal 
equinox, but does not reach the constellation until the 27th of 10th month, 
(October.) 

The chief stars are, * Zuben el Genubi, /3 Zuben el Chimali, ?r, y Zuben 
el Akrab. 

When the sun enters the sign of Libra, the days and nights are equal, 
which is beautifully represented by the Scales or Balance. 

In speaking of the sign it must not be taken for the constellation ; but let 
it be remembered that the constellations have advanced one whole sign in 
the order of the ecliptic ; therefore, the sign is left behind about thirty degrees; 
so that Virgo now occupies the place that Libra did 22 centuries ago. 

These are supposed to be the scales held by Virgo, the goddess of justice. 

The Greeks declare the balance was placed in the heavens in honor of 
Mochus, the inventor of weights and measures. 

Those who refer the twelve signs to the twelve tribes of Israel call the 
balance Ashei\, 



Scor'pi-o. — The Scorpion, 

Is the ninth constellation in the order of the ecliptic. The sun enters this 
sign on the 23d of 10th month, (October,) but does not reach the con- 
stellation until the 20th of the 11th month, (November.) It is on the meri- 
dian on the 10th of 7th month, (July.) 

The chief stars are, a Antares, j3 Akrab, } Dschubba, n ; r, e, ft, J ; a, B-, 
<, a, x or Schauta, v or Lesath. 

The stars of this -constellation are very bright, and so] situated as to form 
a beautiful resemblance of a bow kite, u, fi, } and t form the body of the 
kite, and the remaining stars mark the bobs or tail. 

The ancients considered Scorpio a sign accursed. 

The sun entered this sign in the fruit season, and its passage through it was 
often accompanied by many fatal diseases, which were fitly represented by the 
Scorpion,- a deadly creature. 

Orion is represented to have boasted that there was not an animal on the earth 
which he could not conquer. Juno, to punish the hero's vanity, caused the Scor- 
pion to rise out of the earth and sting him, which caused his death. 



Sng-it-ta'ri-us.— 77/e Archer, 

Is the tenth constellation in the zodiac. The sun enters this sign on the 
22d of 11th month, (November.) but does not arrive at the constellation 
until the 7th of 12th month, (December.) It is on the meridian on the 17th 
of Bill month, (August.) 

The chi^f stars arc, ^, a or the Northern Kans, <p, <r, t, £ ; <^ or the Mid- 
dle Kates, t or the Souther ?i Kaus, o, w and D. * or Alrami or Ruclibali 
ur Jlamili, /3 1 or the First Urkab ur Ramih, /3 2 or the Second Urkab ur 
Ramih, are so near the horizon as to be scarcely visible, except when on 



19 

the meridian, and under favourable circumstances. & and h being in the 
milky way form the handle, and <p, r, r and £ the bowl of an inverted dip- 
per, and, from their situation, they have been called the milk dipper* 

" This constellation, it is said, commemorates the famous Centaur Chiron, son 
of Philyra and Saturn, who changed himself into a horse, to elude the jealous in- 
quiries of his wife Rhea." 



Cap'ri-cor-nus. — The Goat, 

Is the eleventh constellation in the order of the zodiac. It is on the meri- 
dian about the 18th of 9th month, (Sept.) The sun arrives at this sign on 
the 21st of 12th month, (December,) but does not reach the constellation 
until the 16th of 1st month, (January.) 

The chief stars are, u First Dschabe, «, Second Dschabe, /3 Dabih or 
Dschabih, y or Deneb Algedi, P Scheddi, £, <p. 

It is said that while Bacchus and other deities were feasting on the banks of 
the Nile, the terrible giant Typhon came suddenly upon them, and compelled 
them to assume other shapes to escape his fury. Bacchus plunged into the river, 
the part under water took the shape of a fish, that above of a goat; the whole a 
water goat. To preserve the memory of this frolic, Jupiter placed him among 
the constellations in his metamorphosed shape. 



A-qua'ri-us. — The Water -bearer, 

Is the twelfth constellation in the zodiac. It is on the meridian the 15th 
of 10th month, (October.) 

The chief stars are, a, Sad El Melik, /3 Sad Es Saud, 3- Ancha, ^ Scheat, 
i ; v, £, y Sadachbia, v. 

Vi £5 Vi w are so situated as to form the letter Y. 

The zodiac line — where gleams the solar light, 
Twelve constellations form its circle bright: 
The Fishes first shine foremost of the line, 
Then Aries follows with his light divine, 
Next Taurus comes; and now the Twins appear, 
And then the Crab, wjth his refulgent sphere, 
And now the year one half its race has run, 
When Leo sparkles like a brilliant sun. 
Then comes the Virgin, bathed in purer light, 
And now the Scales, and then the Scorpion bright, 
Next glows the Archer; now the Goat appears, 
And last the Water-bearer fills the circling years. 

T. B. Dorset. 



Pis'cis Australis. — The Southern Fish, 

Is on the meridian on the 15th of 10th month, (October.) 
Its principal star, a Fomalhaut, is much used by navigators to find their 
longitude at sea. The remaining stars are /3, t, .9-, /. 



20 



An-tin'o-us. 



Thi3 small constellation was invented by Tycho Brahe, in honour ot 
Antinous, a youth of Bithynia, in Asia Minor. The stars are, S-, v, 1, k 
and a. 



^ Aq'ui-la. — The Eagle. 

It is on the meridian about the 31st of 8th month, (August.) 
The chief stars are, a Altair, (S Aschain, y Tarazed, ^, ^, e, £ Deneb el 
Okab. cc is much used to obtain the longitude at sea. 

Some suppose this to be the eagle which brought nectar to Jupiter while he lay 
concealed in the cave at Crete, to avoid the fury of his father, Saturn. Some of 
the ancient poets say, that this is the eagle which furnished Jupiter with weapons 
in his war with the giants. 



Del'phi-nus. — The Dolphin. 

This beautiful little constellation is on the meridian on the 16th of 9th 
month, (Sept.) 

The chief stars^are, a Svalozin, /3 Rotanew, <T, y, eDeneb el. a, /3, 3, y 
form the figure of a diamond, known by the name of Job's Coffin. 

The Dolphin, according to some mycologists, was made a constellation by Nep- 
tune, because one of those beautiful fishes had persuaded the goddess Amphitrite, 
who had made a vow of perpetual celibacy, to become the wife of that deity \ but 
others maintain, that it is the Dolphin which preserved the life of the famous lyric 
poet and musician Arion, who was a native of Lesbos, an island in the Archipelago. 

He went to Italy with Periander, tyrant of Corinth,.where he obtained immense 
riches by his profession. Wishing to revisit his native country, the sailors of the 
ship in which he embarked, resolved to murder him, and get possession of his 
wealth. Seeing them immovable in their resolution, Arion begged permission to 
play a tune upon his lute before he should be put to death. The melody of the 
instrument attracted a number of dolphins around the ship; he immediately preci- 
pitated himself into the sea, when one of them, it is asserted, carried him safe on 
his back to Tamarus, a promontory of Laconia, in Peloponnesus, whence he has- 
tened to the court of Periander, who ordered all. the sailors to be crucified on their 
return. 



Equ ulcus. — The Little Horse, or the Horse' 's Head. 

The stars in this little constellation are all small, a Kitalphar, and £ are 
of the fourth magnitude. 



21 

Peg'a-sus. — The Flying Horse. 

The western part of this large constellation passes the meridian on the 
3d of 10th month, (October,) and the eastern on the 11th of 11th month, 
(November.) 

The chief stars are, a Merkab, /S Scheat^y Algenib ; s Enif, g ; f Hbman, 
$■ Badhan, y Matar. 

cc, /3, y in Pegasus, and ec in the head of Andromeda, form the great square 
of Pegasus, sometimes called the table. 

y Pegasus, a, Andromeda, /3 Cassiopea, and the north pole star, are near 
the first meridian, from which line the longitude, and right ascension, of all 
the' heavenly bodies are reckoned east. This line is on the meridian at 9 
o'clock, about the 10th of 11th month, (November.) It cuts the equator and 
ecliptic at a point called the vernal equinox, where the sun crosses about 
the 21st of 3d month, (March.) 

This is the FJying Horse which mycologists pretend sprung from the blood of 
Medusa, after Perseus cut off her head. He became the favourite of Apollo and 
the Muses. 

After being tamed by Neptune, or Minerva, he was presented to Bellerophon, 
son of Glaucus, king of Ephyre, to assist him to conquer the Chimsera, "a hideous 
monster that continually vomited flames." After the conquest, Bellerophon 
mounted Pegasus, intending to fly to heaven, which so enraged Jupiter, that he 
sent a gad-fly to sting Pegasus, so that his rider was thrown to the earth ; but 
Pegasus continued his flight to heaven, and was placed by Jupiter among the con- 
stellations. 



Frederick's Glory. 

This small constellation, north of Pegasus, was formed by Bode in 1787, 
in honour of Frederick II., king of Prussia, surnamed the great. 



La-cer'ta. — The Lizard. 

This small constellation was formed by Hevelius, and is composed entirely 
of small stars. 



Cyg'nus. — The Swan. 

This remarkable constellation is represented as a swan, with outstretched 
wings, and flying down the milky-way. 

Its principal star a is of the first magnitude. It is on the meridian at 9 
o'clock on the 16th of 9th month, (September.) 

The chief stars are, <t Arided, or Deneb Cygni, /3 Albireo, y Sadr, ^ 
Ginah, which may be readily known by their forming a great cross of bright 
stars in the milky way. 

Dr. Herschel says that, " in the small space between y and /3, the stars in 
the milky-way seem to be clustering into two separate divisions, each divi- 
sion containing more than one hundred and sixty-five thousand stars." 



22 

y varies in brightness, from the 3d to the 6th magnitude, but its variations 
are not regular. 

<p is also a variable star. A variable star was discovered by Anthelme, 
in the head of Cygnus, on the 20th of 6th month, (June,) 1670, when it 
was of the 3d magnitude ; but in the following 10th month, (October,) it was 
scarcely visible. In the 1st of 4th month, (April,) it appeared brighter than at 
first. After several similar changes it disappeared in 3d month, (March,) 
1672, and has not been seen since. 61 is a remarkable double star of the 
5th and 6th magnitudes, the distance of these stars being 16". 

This most interesting of the stellar systems has connected with it many 
important facts. They revolve around each other in 540 years. These 
are the first stars whose distance from the earth was correctly known. 

This great discovery was made by Bessel at Kcenigsberg about the year 
1839. He found their distance to be 592,000 times the earth's mean dis- 
tance from the sun, and that their light travels down to us in 9% years. 

" These remarkable facts seem to indicate, that there is a brilliant planet- 
ary system in this constellation, which in some of its revolutions becomes 
visible to us." 

In the year 10,200, a, in the Swan will be 7° from the pole of the earth, 
and in the year 11,400 ^ will be only 3° from the pole, and consequently 
the pole star. 



Lyra. — The Harp, 

Is on the meridian at 9 o'clock, about the 13th of 8th month, (August.) 
a, or Vega, also called Lucid Lyrce, is one of the brightest stars in the 
northern hemisphere. In the year 13,800 it will be 5° from the north pole; 
it may be easily known by its forming with e and £ a small equilateral tri- 
angle. /3 or Shelica, y or Sulaphat, S\ jj and $■ may be traced from the maps. 

/3 is a quadruple variable star, varying from the 3d to the 5th magnitude 
in 6 days, 10 hours, 35 minutes. 

a, has a small component of the 11th magnitude; its distance from our 
sun is 771,400 times the earth's mean distance from that orb. 

E. H. Burrittsays, " this is the celestial lyre which Apollo, or Mercury, gave to 
Orpheus, and upon which he played with such a masterly hand, that even the most 
rapid rivers ceased to flow, the wild beasts of the forest forgot their wildness, and 
the mountains came to listen." 

The lyre was much used in ancient times ; some say it was invented by Mer- 
cury, in the year of the world 2000 ; others say by " Jubal, who was the father of 
all such as handle the harp." (Genesis, 4th c, 21st v.) 



Vul-pe'cula et Anser. — The Fox and Goose. 

This constellation was established by Hcvelius, and contains many small 
stars. 



23 J 

Tau'rus Po-nl-a-tow'skl. — The Polish Bull, 

Was established by Poczubut, a Polish astronomer, in the year 1778, in 
honour of the king of Poland. It contains a beautiful little group of stars 
in his face in the shape of the letter V. They serve to show where the 
solstitial colure passes the equatorial. It is midway between the poles, also 
between the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. The chief stars are k, n,o, p. 

The star p is one of the stellar systems that has attracted much attention, 
on account of the swiftness of its motion. Its components are of the 7th; 
and 8th magnitudes, and perform a revolution in 93 years, being a little 
longer than the planet Uranus, or Herschel, which performs a revolution in 
about 84 years. 



Ser-pen-ta-ri-us or Ophiuchus. — The Serpent Bearer, 

Is on the meridian about the 26th of 7th month, (July.) 
The chief stars are, c& Has Alhague, /3 Celbabrai, y, <r, k, A Marsic ; ?,, 
p, B, S-, £, <p ; ^ First Jed, e Second Jed, 

The Serpent Bearer, together with the serpent which he holds in his grasp, 
occupies a very large space in the heavens. The serpent embraces a long 
string of stars stretching from the Northern Crown, down through the Ser- 
pent Bearer and the milky way, ending under Poniatowski towards the Eagle. 
The chief stars are, /3, y, x, & Jed, A Marsik, a or TJnuk al Hay, e, p. r is 
one of the stellar systems. There a sun revolves around another sun, re- 
quiring in its revolution between 90 and 110 years. 

The Serpent Bearer was formerly called ^Esculapius, who was son of Apollo, 
and said to have been the inventor of medicine. He was worshipped as the God 
of the healing art. By his skill he restored Hippolytus to life, which so enraged 
Jupiter that he killed him with a thunderbolt. 



Her'cu-Ies et Cer'be-rus, 

Is on the meridian at 9 o'clock, about the 20th of 7th month, (July.) 

The chief stars are, a Has Algethi, /3 Rutilicus vel Kornephorus, y h ; 
£, A Masini, p., f, o, D, C; {, g, u ; tt, e, p : 3-, v, <r , between y and h is 
the small star a or Kajam or Guiam or Gujam. . 

It is generally believed among astronomers that the sun is moving through 
space, taking the whole solar system with it. If in. one part of the heavens 
the stars grow brighter, and spread farther apart, while in the opposite part 
they grow dimmer, as well as nearer together, we must come to the conclu- 
sion that we are moving towards the former, and receding from the latter. 

E. O. Kendall, in his Uranography, states, " It is now ascertained that 
our system is moving towards the small star u Herculis ; tlie velocity of our 
system in this direction is estimated by Struve to be about eight miles ver 
second. 

O. M. Mitchell, A. M., in his « Planetary and Stellar Worlds," says : — 
" The sun, attended by all its planets, satellites, and comets, is sweeping 
through space towards the star marked sr in the constellation Hercules, with 
a velocity which causes it to pass over a distance equal to thirty-three mil- 
lions, three hundred and fifty thousand miles in every year." 



24 

Moving at this rapid rate towards that distant luminary, it is natural to* 
inquire when the earth will reach its destination? If we suppose n to 
remain stationary, and our system to move on at its present rapid motion to- 
wards that lucid point, it cannot accomplish the journey in less than one 
million eight hundred thousand years. 

The sun is performing its immense circuit through space, taking the planets 
and satellites along in its mighty career. Dr. Madler, of Dorpat, Russia, 
has come to the conclusion that Alcyone, the largest star in the Pleiades, 
now holds the high rank of the central sun, and that its distance is so 
great that light, which travels twelve millions of miles in a minute, cannot 
reach us from that star in less than five hundred and thirty-seven years ; 
while our sun would require eighteen millions two hundred thousand years 
to pass over that immense space. 

To Him who created so many worlds, gave them so much space to per- 
form their harmonious march, and who witnesses their mighty revolutions, 
without change, " a thousand years are as one day." When we consider 
every twinkling star we see in the heavens as a sun ; every sun the center of 
a system, having worlds innumerable depending on it for light and heat, we 
cannot wonder that the inspired philosopher " was afraid of being overlooked 
in the immensity of God's works." 

Should it not be the inquiry of every one : What can I best do to praise 
Him who, by his power having created, still sustains so many worlds, but 
who is not unmindful of the smallest part of his creation ; for the very hairs 
of our head are all numbered? 

The two stars forming the double star £ in Hercules, revolve, the one 
around the other, in a period of thirty-five years. 

£ contains another system ; the stars are of the 3d and 6th magnitude. 
They complete their revolutions in about 31 years. It was discovered by 
Sir Wm. Herschel to be double, but its companion was missed. His obser- 
vations on this star furnished us with a new phenomenon in astronomy, 
" the occultation of one star by another." 

According to ancient history there were many persons who were distinguished 
by the name of Hercules. The honour of the whole is given to the son of Jupiter 
and Alcmena, who was the most celebrated. He is represented on the celestial 
maps with a massive club in his right hand, Cerberus in his left, and clad in a coat 
of lion's skin. He was one of the great gods of the Egyptians. 

Dup'uis considers the twelve labours of Hercules, as a figurative representation 
of the sun in its course through the twelve signs of the zodiac. 

In his twelfth great labour he took Cerberus, the guardian of the infernal 
regions, and brought him up to the earth. Hesiod represents him as a dog, with 
a hundred fiery serpent-heads, though our mythologists give him only three, the 
remainder being beaten off by Hercules. 



Co-ro'na Bo're-al-is. — The Northern Crown, 

Is on the meridian at 9 o'clock, about the 1st of 7th month, (July.) 
The circular appearance of this beautiful little group of stars, so nearly 
represents a crown, that they may be easily traced out in the heavens 
by referring to the maps, and when once traced, they make a lasting impres- 
sion on the mind. 

The chief stars are, * or Gemma, or Alphacca or the Jewel, so called 
from its situation and size, /3 or Nasaka)i, $-, y, ^, f. 



25 

« is a double star of the 5th and 6th magnitude ,* they revolve around each 
other in forty-three years. 

This constellation is in commemoration of the crown given by Baccus to Ariadne, 
daughter of Minos, second king of Crete. 



Bo-o'tes. — The Herdsman, or Bear Driver, 

Is on the meridian about the 9th of 6th month, (June.) 

The chief stars are, a Acturus, y Mufried, v, e Izar, p ; /S NeJckar, y, £, 
jtt Alkalurops, 3- ; |, o, ?r and £. 

(jl is a binary star, revolving in a retrograde order in about 300 or 400 
years. 

Of the two greyhounds, with which Bootes drives the great bear, that on 
the north is called Asteron, and Char a on the south. 

The chief stars are in*Chara, a Cor Caroli or Charles's Heart, in memory 
of King Charles the First, and d. 



Co'ma Ber-e-ni'ces. — Berenice's Hair, 

Is on the meridian about the 13th of 5th month, (May.) 
The stars in this beautiful cluster are all small, having very much the 
appearance of the milky way, being very rich in beautiful nebulae. 

Berenice was a beautiful lady of royal descent, and wife of Ptolemy Soter, or 
Evergetes, king of Egypt. When Evergetes was going on a dangerous expedi- 
tion into Syria, 247 B. C, his wife vowed, if he returned to her in safety, that she 
would dedicate her beautiful hair to the goddess of beauty. On his safe return, 
the locks were hung up in the temple of Venice ; but were soon missed, and their 
loss could not be accounted for, until Conon of Saraos, a great astronomer of that 
time, silenced the troubles of the king and queen, by publickly reporting that 
Jupiter had taken the locks from the temple and placed them among the stars. 
At the request of the king, Conon went to him, and pointed out the constellation, 
saying, "There, behold the locks of the queen." The king was satisfied, and the 
queen reconciled to the partiality of the gods. 



Ca'nis Minor. — The Little Dog, 

Is on the meridian on the 24th of 2d month, (February.) 
The chief stars are, * Procyon, and /S Mirza or Gomeiza. 

The Greeks say this was one of Orion's hounds, others say it was Anubis, (or 
dog's head) one of the Egyptian gods. And according to others, it was the faithful 
dog Mira, which showed Erigone where her murdered father was thrown. 



Hydra. — The Water Serpent, 
Is a long winding constellation stretching from west to east, just above 



26 

the southern horizon in the spring ; and it is 7 hours in passing the meridian. 
Its western part comes on the meridian about the 5th of 3d month, (March,) 
and the eastern the 25th of 6th month, (June.) 

The chief stars are, <?, s , £, »?, B-, u Alphard or Cor-Hydra ; A, v, |, /3 ; 
<P, 7> **. 

This terrible monster infested the Lake Luna, in the Peloponnesus. Accord- 
ing 1 to Diodorus it had a hundred heads ; Simonides said it had fifty ; Apollodorus 
and Hyginus give it nine, but we accord it only one. 

The destruction of this dreadful monster was one of the twelve labours of 
Hercules. 



Cra'ter. — The Cup, 

Is on the meridian about the 1st of 5th month, (May.) 
The chief stars are, * Alices, /3, <^, B-. 



Corvus.— The Crow, 

Is on the meridian about the 12th of 5th month, (May.) 
The chief stars are, a Al Chiba, e, /3, y, ^ Algorah, i. 

The fable says this crow was of the purest white, but was changed to sooty 
blackness for its talebearing. Apollo, being jealous of Coronis, daughter of 
Phlegyas, sent this crow to watch her; it discovered her partiality for Ischys, the 
Thessalian, and immediately informed Apollo of her conduct. As a reward for 
this discovery the crow was placed among the constellations. 



Mo-no-ce- ros.-— The Unicorn, 

Occupies a large space in the heavens. It was established by Hevelius, out 
of the unconstellated stars between the dogs and the ship. The stars are 
few, small, and scattered. 

a is a triple star of 6$, 7, and 8th magnitudes, discovered by Sir W. Her- 
schel, and by him said to be one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens. 



Ar'go Na'vis. — The Ship Argo, 

Is on the meridian about the 3d of 3d month, (March.) 

It is so near the horizon that its principal stars are not visible to us. 

The chief of those we can see are, ?r, * Marlceb, £, /, c, £. 

The fable says, this is the ship that Jason and his companions went in, on their 
celebrated expedition to recover the golden fleece. On his victorious return, it 
was drawn ashore at the isthmus of Corinth, and consecrated to Neptune, the god 
of the sea. 

It is believed by some that Argo Navis was the first large ship ever built, and 
that it was no other than the ark in which Noah and his family were saved. 



27 

Ca'nis Major. — The Great Dog, 

Is on the meridian about the 11th of the 2d month, (February.) f 

The chief stars are, a Sirius, /3 Mirza, y Muliphein, § Wezen, « Aludra, 
st Udara, f, £ Furud. 

et, or the dog star, is the brightest fixed star we see in the heavens. In 
ancient times, before the Almanac was in use, when every man was his own 
astronomer, the rising of this star was watched with much care. It was 
then that the stars were for signs and seasons. The ancient Thebans deter- 
mined the length of their year by the number of its risings. When the sun 
rose with it the season was called dog days, which is the origin of that fami- 
liar phrase. 

The Egyptians carefully watched its risings. As a faithful dog warns his 
master of approaching danger, so the rising of this star, before the morning 
rays, marked the time for them to leave their habitations and pleasant homes, 
and retire to the mountains, or be buried in the floods of the rising Nile. 

The Greeks say this was one of Orion's hounds. 



O-ri'on. 



This most beautiful constellation culminates at 9 o'clock, about the 23d of 
1st month, (January.) 

The chief stars are, «• Betelgeuse, /3 Rigel, y Bellatrix, £ Mintaka, e 
Anilam, £ Antiak, y, $■ and k Saiph. 

The equator, passing through the center of this splendid constellation, 
makes it visible in all parts of the world. 

<r, e and £ are called, the Three Stars, there being no others exactly like 
them. They are called the Three Kings, as they point out Hyades and 
Pleiades on one sicte, and the Dog Star on the other. 

The ancient shepherds called them Jacob' 's Staff, or the Rake. In 1807 
the University of Leipsic called them Napoleon. As they just measure three 
degrees, they, with the three in the sword, are called " Ell and Yard" 
Job, chap. 38, v. 31, calls them " the bands of Orion" 

Near S- is one of the most beautiful and remarkable nebulas in the heavens. 

Orion, son of Neptune, became the greatest hunter in the world. Being vain 
of his glory, he boasted that he could conquer any animal on the earth ; but the 
Scorpion punished his vanity by stinging his foot, so that he died. 



Le'pus. — The Hare, 

Is on the meridian about the 24th of 2d month. (January.) 

The chief stars are, a Armeb, /3 Nihal, y, 2" which form a trapezium, 

This is one of the animals that Orion delighted to hunt. 



28 

Co-lum'ba. — Noah's Dove, 

Is south of the Hare, and on the same meridian. 

The chief stars are, a. Phaet, /3, y and e. 

It was introduced in 1679 by Roger, in honour of Noah's dove. " And 
the dove came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an olive 
leaf plucked off." 



E-rid'a-nus. — The River Po, 

Occupies a large irregular meandering space in the heavens, having a 
northern and southern branch. 

The chief stars are, /3 Cursa, o Beid, y Zaurak, £ Rana, s, t, m, 1, 1 
and 2, v Themin, r, x, f, e t and «. Ahernar, so far south as not to be seen in 
this latitude. 

Eridanus was the ancient name for the river Po, in the north of Italy. 

Phaeton, son of Phoebus and Clymene, became a favourite of Venus, which 
made him vain. He was struck by Jupiter with a thunderbolt and hnrled head- 
long from heaven into Eridanus, for threatening heaven and earth with a universal 
conflagration, by his rashness in attempting to guide the sun's bright chariot m his 
course. 



Ce'tus.— The Whale, 

The western part of this large constellation is on the meridian at 9 o'clock 
the 9th of 11th month, (Nov.) and the eastern at the same hour on the 25th 
of 12th month, (December.) 

Its chief stars are, * MenJcar, y, v, p, A ; 2, o Mira, £ Batan Kaitos, r ; 
7T, £, p, o- ; /3 Diphda or Deneb Kaitos, jj, 3-, /. 

o, Mira, is the wonderful star of 1596. Fabricius on the 13th of 8th 
month, (August,) 1596, first discovered it to be a variable star. It varies in 
332 days from a star of the 3d magnitude to invisibility. 

Cetus is supposed to be the sea monster that was sent to ravage the coast of 
Joppa, where Andromeda was chained to the rock, and left to be devoured, in 
order to punish Cassiopea for her boasted beauty ; but just as the monster was 
going to destroy her, Perseus killed him. To perpetuate their memory, they have 
all been placed among the constellations. 



QUESTION S, 



Introduction. — What is the zenith ? What is the horizon ? What is 
the celestial meridian ? What is the North pole ? What is the pole star ? 
What is the axis ? What are the poles of the earth 1 What is the earth? s 
axis ? What course does the earth move in its daily revolution, and what 
is its effect on the celestial bodies ? What is the terrestrial equator ? The 
celestial equator 1 The sun's apparent yearly path ? What are the equi- 
noxes ? The solstices ? The colures ? The hour circles ? What is the 
vernal equinox? Where does the sun appear after it passes the vernal 
equinox ? At what time does the sun pass it, and when are the stars visi- 
ble? The summer solstice ? The autumrTal equinox? The winter solstice? 
And when are the stars about these points visible ? What is meant by the 
sun's crossing the line? What is the zodiac, and how is it divided? How 
maryy planets have been discovered ? What are their names ? How much 
earlier do the stars pass the meridian each successive night ? What does 
that amount to in a month, and how will the stars appear in a month ? In 
six months? What are circumpolar stars? How do they change in six 
months ? What can the pupil take for easy and familiar reference ? How 
must the pupil stand and hold the map? What will be seen? What are 
the Fixed Stars ? What is the declination ? First meridian ? Right 
ascension ? How can it be told when a star will be on the meridian at 9 
o'clock? Give the Greek alphabet. Write it. Now read it backwards. 
For what is this work intended ? What is the first step ? The second ? 

How are the principal stars in the Little Bear situated ? Where is the 
Pole star? Give the Greek letters as applied to the stars. Give the guards 
of the Little Bear, For what is this constellation noted ? What use is the 
pole star to the practical surveyor? Is this star in the true north? How 
far off is it ? How often does it pass the meridian ? When is the proper 
time to make observations on this star ? How can surveyors know the 
variation of their needle ? What would an observer on the equator see ? By 
travelling to the north what change takes place? What result will be the 
latitude of the place 1 Half what sum will be the latitude of the place ? Is 
the pole star a fixed point? Which way is it 'moving? When will it be 
only 20' from the pole? What is its annual variation? 

Ursa Major — The Great Bear. — Is this a small constellation ? When, 
and how long can it be seen ? Give the Greek letters as applied to the prin- 
cipal stars in this constellation. Point them out on the map for this season. 
Which are the pointers ? Why so called ? Give the stars in the dipper. 
Give all their distances. What will the student have ? 

Cassiopea — Lady in the Chair. — How is she represented? Give the 
Greek letters. What is this group like? Where are /3 and ^? Give 



29 

another rule for obtaining the latitude of the place. Also for the variation 
of the compass. Who are the royal family? What is said of Cassiopea? 

Cepheus — The King. — Give the chief stars. Where is his head? By 
what stars may it be easily traced ? When is it on the meridian ? By ex- 
amining the maps what will be seen ? When may it be seen? What takes 
place in 25,600 years? When will y be the pole star? When /3? When <*? 

Andromeda. — When will it be on the meridian? Give the principal 
stars. What stars mark out the position of the first meridian? 

Perseus et Caput Medusae. — When is it on the meridian ? What must 
be remembered ? Give the Greek letters applied to the chief stars. Point 
them out on the map. What is Medusa's head ? When will /3 be on the 
meridian? What hour? How does /3 change? Give Dr. Herschel's opinions. 

Auriga — The Wagoner. — When on the meridian? Give the chief stars. 
What do they form ? What have we while the Wagoner is on the meridian ? 

Pisces — The Fishes. — What is it now? When on the meridian ? When 
does the sun enter this sign? When does he reach the constellation? Do 
the sign and constellation occupy the same space? What does this constel- 
lation occupy? Where does it commence? What course does it take? 
Where does it end? What is the probable origin of this sign? 

Aries — The Ram. — What sign is it? What constellation? When on 
the meridian? When was Aries the first sign in the zodiac? What is it 
now? What use is a Aries? Should the mariner get lest what can he do? 
Give the stars used by mariners in full? 

Taurus — The Bull. — What took place in the days of Noah? How 
long? What next? What now? When is Taurus on the meridian? Give the 
chief stars. What stars are called Hyades ? 

Gemini — The Tiuins, When does it culminate? Give the chief stars. 
When does the sun pass through this constellation 1 

Cancer — The Crab. — Give the chief stars. When is it on the meridian? 
When does the sun reach this constellation? 

Leo Major — The Great Lion. — When on the meridian? Give the chief 
stars. Who was a named from? Where is it? What used by? 

Virgo — The Virgin. — When on the meridian? When does the sun enter 
this sign? When the constellation? Give the chief stars. What does y 
afford? How far does the earth move per minute? How large is Jupiter? 
The sun? What would the sun fill up? What are the fixed stars ? What 
is y ? What do we behold ? 

Libra — -The Scales. — When on the meridian? When does the sun enter 
this sign? When reach the constellation? Give the chief stars. What 
do they form? When are the days and nights equal? Arc the sign and 
constellation the same? What must be remembered? 

Scorpio — The Scorjnon. — When does the sun enter this sign? tteach 
the constellation ? On the meridian? Give the chief stars. What do they 
form ? 

Sagittarius — The Archer. — When does the sun enter this sign? Reach 
the constellation? On the meridian? Chief stars? 

Cai-ricornus — Ihe Goat. — When on the meridian? When does the sun 
arrive at this sign? The constellation ? Give the chief stars. 

Aquarius — The Water -hearer. — When on the meridian? What stars 
form Y. Repeat the lines written by T. B. Dorsey. 

Piscis Australis — The Southern Fish. — When on the meridian? Give 
the chief stars. 

Antinous. — Give the chief stars. 

Aquila — The Eagle. — When on the meridian? Give the chief stars. 
For what is « used ? 



/ 



31 

Delphinus — The Dolphin. — When on the meridian ? Give the chief 
stars. 

Pegastjs — The Flying Horse. — When does me western part pass the 
meridian ? The eastern ? Give the chief stars. What stars form the 
great square of Pegasus? What stars show where the first meridian 
is ? When on the meridian? Where does it cut the equator? When does 
the sun cross it? 

Cygnus — The Swan. — How is it represented? Where is *? When on 
the meridian? Give the chief stars. What do they form? What does Dr. 
Herschel say ? What is said of y ? Of <p ? What is said of a variable 
star? What is said of 61? What is its mean distance from the sun? In 
what time does its light travel to us ? What do these facts indicate ? When 
will « be 7° from the pole, and $ 3°? 

Lyra — The Harp. — When on the meridian? What is said of a? What 
does it form with e, and <f ? Give the other stars. What is said of /3 ? How 
far is a. from the sun ? 

Taurus Poniatowski — The Polish Bull. — What is said of the stars in 
his face ? What do they show ? Midway between what ? Give the chief 
stars. What is said of p? 

Serpentarius vel Ophiuchus — The Serpent Bearer. — When on the 
meridian? Give the chief stars. What is said of the Serpent? Give the 
chief stars. What is said of r? 

Hercules et Ceberus. — -When on the meridian? Give the chief stars. 
What is generally believed among astronomers? Give a reason. What 
does E. O. Kendall say? O. M. Mitchell? Dr. Madler? What is said of 
J ? Of $1 What did Wm. Herschel observe ? 

Corona Borealis — The Northern Crown. — When on the meridian? 
What is the appearance? Give the chief stars. What is jj? 

Bootes' — The Herdsman. — When on the meridian ? Give the chief stars. 
What is (jlI Give the chief stars in Chara. 

Cams Minor — The Little Dog. — When on the meridian? The chief 
stars ? 

Hydra — The Water Serpent. — What is said of it ? When does its west- 
ern part come on the meridian ? Eastern ? Give the chief stars. 

Crater — Ihe Cup. — When on the meridian? Give the chief stars. - 

Corvus — The Crow. — When on the meridian? Give the chief stars. 

Argo Navis — The Ship Argo. — When on the meridian? Give the chief 
stars visible. 

Canis Major — The Great Dog. — When on the meridian. Give the 
chief stars. What is »1 What is said of it? Of the ancient .Thebans? 
Of dog days ? Of the Egyptians? What is said of the rising of this star? 

Orion. — When does it culminate? Give the chief stars. Where does the 
equator pass? What does it make? What are ^, e, £ called ? What is 
near 3-1 

Leius — The Hare. — When on the meridian? The chief stars ? 

Columba — Noatis Dove. — Give the chief stars. 

*Eridanus — The River Po. — How many branches ? Give the chief stars. 

Cetus — The Whale. — When is the western part on the meridian? The 
eastern? Give the chief stars. What is said of o ? 



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